Lead with Confidence – Drive Fire Protection Standards at BRE
Are you ready to take the lead in shaping the future of fire safety? At BRE, we’re looking for a dedicated Certification Lead to oversee and advance our certification services within the Fire Protection team. This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of industry standards, helping ensure that fire protection products and systems meet the highest levels of safety and performance. Join us and make a meaningful impact in a trusted, world-renowned organisation committed to building a safer future.

Help BRE make buildings safer and more sustainable!

BRE aims to be the world’s leading innovation, science and data hub for the built environment. For more than a century, we have provided government and industry with cutting-edge research and testing. Join us to help deliver products, advice, services, standards and qualifications used around the globe to make buildings better for people and the environment. Through science-led solutions to urgent challenges, we will build a thriving and sustainable world.

Your role at BRE
As the Certification Lead, you will play a central role in overseeing the delivery and continuous improvement of third-party certification services within BRE’s Fire Protection business area. This role ensures alignment with quality, safety, and operational standards while supporting business growth and performance.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

Lead and manage Certification Team Managers, aligning team output with the Fire Protection business plan

Oversee the effective allocation, prioritisation, and delivery of certification projects

Ensure compliance with ISO standards (including ISO 17065, 17067) and UKAS accreditation requirements

Support operational delivery and project execution across certification teams, driving improvements in processes, tools, and project turnaround times

Manage reporting processes, including financial delivery, forecasting, and maintenance of the Fire Protection dashboard

Provide strategic input into departmental planning, business forecasting, and resource planning

Act as the final authorisation point for certification projects, suspensions, and withdrawals

Oversee customer communications, ensuring issues and disputes are managed efficiently and transparently

Maintain high standards of health and safety across all project activities

Identify opportunities for operational excellence and productivity improvement across teams

What we are looking for
Essential

Proven competency and hands-on experience in Third Party Certification, including familiarity with relevant standards such as ISO 9000 (management systems), ISO 17065 (product certification), ISO 17025 (testing), and ISO 17020 (assessments)

Strong knowledge of and experience within the Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) industry

Excellent decision-making ability, with a demonstrated capacity to prioritise, delegate, and manage workload effectively in a fast-paced environment

In-depth understanding of quality systems, with experience in their implementation and continual improvement

Demonstrated success in managing complex projects across multiple teams simultaneously

Desirable

Experience working as a project engineer in a structural, mechanical, or materials engineering context

Degree-level qualification in engineering or a science-related discipline, or equivalent practical experience

Strong commercial awareness and understanding of customer needs and expectations

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective relationships with internal teams and external clients

Collaborative approach to teamwork, balanced with the initiative and confidence to work independently

High attention to detail, with a proactive mindset toward identifying opportunities for process improvement and operational efficiency

BRE Benefits

At BRE, we offer a competitive salary, reviewed annually, along with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your financial security, well-being, and career development.

Financial & Security Benefits

• Pension scheme – 5% employer-matched contribution

• Life assurance – 4x your basic salary

• Enhanced maternity package

Health & Wellbeing

• HealthPartners cashback scheme – Reclaim costs on prescriptions, physiotherapy, dental care, and more

• Onsite facilities – Restaurant, nursery, and free parking, including at-cost EV charging points

Career Development

• Learning & development – Free access to BRE Academy and our online learning platform

• Professional membership reimbursement

For full details on our benefits, visit: BRE Employee Benefits

Work Location Options
Hybrid – This role offers a mix of home and office working. You will need to be within commuting distance of our Watford office, as you will be expected to attend in person.

Our Recruitment Process

Online Assessment

Shortly after you apply (within approximately 10 minutes), you’ll receive a link to complete an online assessment. This takes around 20 minutes and helps us better understand your skills and suitability.


Note to Employment Agencies

At BRE, we value the relationships we have built with our preferred recruitment partners. We do not accept unsolicited CVs from employment agencies. Any CVs submitted directly to a BRE employee or hiring manager without a signed BRE Employment Agency Agreement and an active engagement for the specific role will be considered unsolicited. In such cases, no fees will be payable should the candidate be hired through this or any other means.

Equal Opportunities Statement

BRE is an equal opportunities employer. We assess all qualified applicants based on merit and do not discriminate on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics.

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